CSR: AJEGUNLE RESIDENTS, ROYAL FATHER MUCK NPA

 

***Say What NPA Couldn't Do Customs Has Done

By Ambrose Obioma Okehi ( News Emperor )

The people of Olodi Apapa Community of Apapa Araromi kingdom in Ajeromi Ifelodum Local Government Council of Lagos State have heavily criticised the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA for not doing their bit as regards impacting on the lives of the people of that area and the community, an environment where they are operating over the years. 

This observation was made by residents Olodi Apapa through their royal father, the Olu Iwa of Apapa Kingdom, HRM, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa while giving his Goodwill Message during the Commissioning ceremony of Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary school, Olodi Apapa in Lagos on Thursday by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria customs service in Lagos. 

The Oba commended Customs for the CSR initiative, while blaming other governments agencies for their failure on this area. 

The royal father called on other government agencies emulate the Nigeria Customs Service by as companies operating within Apapa jurisdiction, particularly the Nigerian Port’s Authority (NPA) and to also contribute their quota to the growth and development of the communities that habour them. 

His Royal Highness, HRH Oba Oluwa specifically criticize the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority for not meeting in the area of CSR. 

Similarly, the Federal Representative for Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency,

Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul appreciated Customs and implored other agencies to emulate the NCS. He stated that the facility will be well utilised for the benefit of the pupils and community.

Also, the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun appreciated Customs for the project, adding that it is a leverage to what the state government is doing in the educational sector. 

He therefore promised that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the state will ensure proper maintenance of the project, he charged parents and community leaders to contribute their quota to its sustainability.

The outgoing Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Fatai Ayoola thanked Customs for brining succour to the community and ameliorating the sufferings of the people, saying “It is the first time we are seeing this kind of developmental support in our community”.

The Educational Secretary, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Barr. Remi-Williams Abiola who also shared the Chairman’s sentiment, described the project as unique.

"I want to congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service for this noble gesture. It shows that parastatals in the Apapa are discharging their Social Responsibility Act. I am aware that u under Hon. Oluwa. We are going to work to ensure that we amend that Act to ensure parastatals implement the Act. 

For the Nigeria Customs Service, we appreciate your good gesture and we are going to challenge other parastatals in our environment to emulate you. "

" For the management and staff of this school, I will appeal to you all to make proper use of the facilities and ensure that this facilities that is renovated by the Nigeria Customs Service is well maintained for the benefit of the pupils and the community ." 

Local Government Area Chairman, Hon Fatayi Eyiola Aekunle

Speaking further on the failure of the Nigerian Ports Authority's failure to carry out the CSR, the Kabiesi said :

"Go and google it. This is the first time in the history of the Nigeria Customs  Service that this type of thing is happening. 

First of all, I want to congratulate you (the CGC ) for establishing the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR Unit in the service. 

And you deemed it fit that your immediate environment within Apapa port must benefit . You are the first person and Customs is the first agency to have done something like this. We know that the first one was done in Amowo Odofin Local Government Council area of the state. So, this is a wakeup call for the Nigerian Ports Authority. It is a challenge for them to wake up. 

"What you (NPA) could not do, Nigeria Customs Service has done it," the royal father mucked.

Looking at CSR and its history in Nigeria;

In Nigeria, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is guided by various laws and regulations rather than a single, specific CSR Act. The key legislation governing CSR includes ¹ 

Looking at the legal framework, investigation reveals that Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 is one of the sources where CSR draws its power. This law encourages companies to engage in CSR activities by allowing them to allocate a portion of their profits to socially responsible projects. Section 305 of CAMA requires directors to consider the impact of their operations on the environment and society.

Other sources where CSR project or initiatives drives its power include: Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018. The code of corporate governance, News Emperor gathered, recommends that companies adopt and implement CSR policies and programs.

But over the years efforts have been made to ensure a legal framework FOR CSR. But regrettably, the process have been meeting setbacks.

"Although there have been efforts to formalize CSR through legislation, there is currently no specific law mandating CSR in Nigeria. A CSR Bill was proposed in 2007, which aimed to establish a CSR Commission and collect a mandatory 3.5% CSR contribution from corporations for community development projects. However, the bill faced criticism and was not enacted, partly due to concerns that it would be seen as an additional corporate tax, " a source informed News Emperor. 

However, in practice, CSR initiatives in Nigeria are often and currently done voluntarily , with companies contributing to economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where they operate.

Meanwhile the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) plays a role in ensuring compliance with CSR regulations and resolving complaints related to CSR non-compliance. 

Overall, while CSR is not strictly regulated by law in Nigeria, existing legal frameworks and guidelines encourage companies to prioritize social responsibility and sustainability.